Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

Provided is a refrigerator including a slim refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment; a refrigerator door configured to open and close the storage compartment; an ice maker configured to generate ice cubes; an ice bin provided at the refrigerator door to receive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a discharge opening through which the ice cubes are discharged; a motor provided at the refrigerator door; and at least one blade disposed within the ice bin, the at least one blade being operably connected to the motor, wherein at least one ice cube generated in the ice maker directly drop onto the at least one blade, and the at least one blade moves at least one ice cube stored in the ice bin to the discharge opening to discharge the at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0129256 (filed on 22Dec. 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is an apparatus that stores foods at a lowtemperature using low temperature air.

The refrigerator includes a cabinet in which a storage compartment isdefined and a refrigerator door opening and closing the storagecompartment. The storage compartment may include a refrigeratorcompartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigerator door may includea refrigerator compartment door opening and closing the refrigeratorcompartment and a freezer compartment door opening and closing thefreezer compartment.

Also, the refrigerator may include an ice making assembly that makes iceusing cool air to store the made ice. The ice making assembly includesan ice maker generating the ice and an ice bin in which the iceseparated from the ice maker is stored. The ice maker may be disposedinside the refrigerator compartment or in the refrigerator compartmentdoor. The ice bin may be disposed inside the refrigerator compartment orin the refrigerator compartment door. For user's convenience, therefrigerator compartment door may further include a dispenser fordispensing the ice stored in the ice bin.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a refrigerator.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a storage compartment; arefrigerator door configured to open and close the storage compartment;an ice maker configured to generate ice cubes; an ice bin provided atthe refrigerator door, the ice bin being disposed below the ice maker toreceive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a dischargeopening through which the ice cubes are discharged; a motor provided atthe refrigerator door; and at least one blade disposed within the icebin, the at least one blade being operably connected to the motor,wherein at least one ice generated in the ice maker directly drop ontothe at least one blade, and the at least one blade moves at least oneice stored in the ice bin to the discharge opening to discharge the atleast one ice from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet defining astorage compartment; and a refrigerator door configured to open andclose the storage compartment, wherein the refrigerator door comprises:an ice compartment; an ice maker disposed within the ice compartment togenerated ice cubes; an ice bin below the ice maker, the ice bin storingthe ice cubes separated from the ice maker and having a dischargeopening through which the ice cubes are discharged; and at least onerotation blade disposed within the ice bin, the at least one rotationblade moving the ice cubes in the bin toward the discharge opening,wherein at least one ice separated from the ice maker directly drop ontothe at least one rotation blade.

In further embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet defining astorage compartment; and a refrigerator door configured to open andclose the storage compartment, wherein the refrigerator door comprises:an ice compartment; an ice maker disposed within the ice compartment togenerate ice cubes, the ice maker being configured to separate ice cubesby its rotation operation; an ice bin selectively received in the icecompartment, the ice bin being disposed below the ice maker to store theice cubes separated from the ice maker and having a discharge openingthrough which the ice cubes are discharge; and at least one rotationblade above the discharge opening, the at least one rotation blade beingrotatably operated, wherein the ice cubes separated from the ice makerby a rotation operation of the ice maker drop into the ice bin by theirself-weight, at least one ice separated from the ice maker directlydrops onto the at least one rotation blade, and the ice cubes stored inthe ice bin are discharged downwardly from the ice bin through thedischarge opening by the rotation of the at least one rotation blade.

In still further embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet defininga storage compartment; and a refrigerator door configured to open andclose the storage compartment, wherein the refrigerator door comprises:an ice compartment; an ice maker disposed within the ice compartment togenerate ice cubes; an ice bin configured to store the ice cubesseparated from the ice maker, the ice bin having a discharge openingthrough which the ice cubes are discharged; and an ice compartment doorconfigured to open and close the ice compartment, wherein, when the icecompartment door closes the ice compartment, the ice bin is disposed ina second region except a first region between the ice compartment doorand the ice maker.

In even further embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a storagecompartment; a refrigerator door configured to open and close thestorage compartment; an ice maker configured to generate ice cubes; anice bin provided at the refrigerator door, the ice bin being disposedbelow the ice maker to receive the ice cubes separated from the icemaker and having a discharge opening through which the ice cubes aredischarged; a motor provided at the refrigerator door; at least onerotation blade disposed within the ice bin, the at least one blade beingoperably connected to the motor; and a rotation axis connected to the atleast one rotation blade, wherein the ice cubes dropping into the icebin are moved toward the least one rotation blade in a directioncrossing an extending direction of the rotation axis, and the at leastone rotation blade moves the ice cubes to the discharge opening todischarge the ice cubes from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a portion of arefrigerator compartment door opened according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator compartment door withan ice compartment door opened according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door in whichan ice making assembly is removed from an ice compartment according tothe first embodiment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the ice making assembly accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ice bin according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the ice bin.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an ice discharge member.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a rotation blade of the ice bin.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the ice discharge member, a fixed blade, andan opening/closing member of the ice bin.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the opening/closing member of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating the inside of the ice bin.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the ice bin.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the ice bin.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the refrigerator compartmentdoor of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view of a state in which an ice maker is rotated toseparate ice from the ice maker of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a state in which ice chips are dischargedfrom the ice bin.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a state in which ice cubes are dischargedfrom the ice bin.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a secondembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fourthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a firstembodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator with aportion of a refrigerator compartment door opened according to the firstembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to thisembodiment includes a cabinet 10 defining an outer appearance thereofand refrigerator doors 11 and 14 movably connected to the cabinet 10.

A storage compartment for storing foods is defined inside the cabinet10. The storage compartment includes a refrigerator compartment 102 anda freezer compartment 104 disposed below the refrigerator compartment102.

That is, a bottom freeze type refrigerator in which a refrigeratorcompartment is disposed above the freezer compartment will be describedas an example in this embodiment.

The refrigerator door 11 and 14 include a refrigerator compartment door11 opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 102 and a freezercompartment door 14 opening and closing the freezer compartment 104.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 includes a plurality of doors 12and 13, which are disposed at left and right sides, respectively. Theplurality of doors 12 and 13 includes a first refrigerator compartmentdoor 12 and a second refrigerator compartment door 13 disposed at aright side of the first refrigerator compartment door 12. The firstrefrigerator compartment door 12 may be independently movable withrespect to the second refrigerator compartment door 13.

The freezer compartment door 14 includes a plurality of doors 15 and 16,which are vertically disposed. The plurality of doors 15 and 16 includesa first freezer compartment door 15 and a second freezer compartmentdoor 16 disposed below the first freezer compartment door 15. The firstand second refrigerator compartment doors 12 and 13 may be rotatablymoved, and the first and second freezer compartment doors 15 and 16 maybe slidably moved.

Alternatively, one freezer compartment door 14 may be provided to openand close the freezer compartment 104.

A dispenser 17 for dispensing water or ice is disposed in one door ofthe first and second refrigerator compartment door 12 and 13. Forexample, the dispenser 17 is disposed in the first refrigerator door 12in FIG. 1. Also, an ice making assembly (that will be described later)for generating and storing the ice cubes is disposed in one door of thefirst and second refrigerator compartment doors 12 and 13.

In this embodiment, the dispenser 17 and the ice making assembly may bedisposed in the first refrigerator compartment door 12 and the secondrefrigerator compartment door 13. Thus, it will be described below thatthe dispenser 17 and the ice making assembly are disposed in therefrigerator compartment door 11. Here, the first refrigeratorcompartment door 12 and the second refrigerator compartment door 13 arecommonly called the refrigerator compartment door 11.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator compartment door withan ice compartment door opened according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door in which an icemaking assembly is removed from an ice compartment according to thefirst embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the refrigerator compartment door 11 includesan outer case 111 and a door liner 112 coupled to the outer case 111.The door liner 112 defines a back surface of the refrigeratorcompartment door 11.

The door liner 112 defines an ice compartment 120. The ice makingassembly 200 for generating and storing the ice cubes is disposed insidethe ice compartment. The ice compartment 120 is opened and closed by anice compartment door 130. The ice compartment door 130 is rotatablyconnected to the door liner 112 by a hinge 139. A handle 140 coupled tothe door liner 112 in a state where the ice compartment 120 is closed bythe ice compartment door 130 is disposed on the ice compartment door130.

A handle coupling part 128 coupled to a portion of the handle 140 isdefined in the door liner 112. The handle coupling part 128 receives theportion of the handle 140.

The cabinet 10 includes a main body supply duct for supplying cool airto the ice compartment 120 and a main body return duct 108 forrecovering the cool air from the ice compartment 120. The main bodysupply duct 106 and the main body return duct 108 may communicate with aspace in which an evaporator (not shown) is disposed.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 includes a door supply duct 122 forsupplying the cool air of the main body supply duct 106 to the icecompartment and a door return duct 124 for recovering the cool air ofthe ice compartment 120 to the main body return duct 108.

The door supply duct 122 and the door return duct 124 extend from anouter wall 113 of the door liner 112 to an inner wall 114 constitutingthe ice compartment 120. The door supply duct 122 and the door returnduct 124 are vertically arrayed, and the door supply duct 122 isdisposed over the door return duct 124. However, in this embodiment, thepositions of the door supply duct 122 and the door return duct 124 arenot limited thereto.

When the refrigerator compartment door 11 closes the refrigeratorcompartment 102, the door supply duct 122 is aligned and communicateswith the main body supply duct 106, and the door return duct 124 isaligned and communicates with the main body return duct 108.

The ice compartment 120 includes a cool air duct 290 guiding cool airflowing in the door supply duct 122 to the ice making assembly 200. Thecool air duct 290 includes a passage through which cool air flows, andcool air flowing in the cool air duct 290 is finally supplied to the icemaking assembly 200. Since cool air may be concentrated to the icemaking assembly 200 through the cool air duct 290, ice cubes may berapidly generated.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 includes a first connector 125 forsupplying an electric source to the ice making assembly 200. The firstconnector 125 is exposed to the ice compartment 120. The refrigeratorcompartment door 11 includes a water supply pipe 126 for supplying waterto the ice making assembly 200.

The water supply pipe 126 is disposed between the outer case 111 and thedoor liner 112, and its end passes through the door liner 112 and isdisposed at the ice compartment 120.

An ice opening 127 for discharging ice cubes is disposed at the lowerside of the inner wall 114 of the door liner 112 constituting the icecompartment 120. An ice duct 150 communicating with the ice opening 127is disposed at the lower side of the ice compartment 120.

Hereinafter, a structure of the ice making assembly will be described indetail.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the ice making assembly accordingto the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the ice making assembly 200 defines spaceswhere ice cubes are generated, and includes an ice maker 210 supportinggenerated ice, a driving source 220 providing power for automaticallyrotating the ice maker 210 to remove ice cubes from the ice maker 210, agear box 224 transmitting the power of the driving source 220 to the icemaker 210, a cover 230 covering the ice maker 210 to prevent theoverflow of water when the water is supplied to the ice maker 210, and awater guider 240 guiding water supplied from the water supply pipe 126to the ice maker 210.

The ice making assembly 200 includes a support mechanism 250 including aseat part 215 on which the ice maker 210 is placed, an ice bin 300storing ice cubes removed from the ice maker 210, a full ice sensor 270for sensing full ice state of the ice bin 300, and a motor assembly 280selectively connected to the ice bin 300.

An electric wire connected to the motor assembly 280 and an electricwire connected to the driving source 220 are connected to a secondconnector 282 that is removably coupled to the first connector 125.

In detail, the driving source 220 may include a motor.

The support mechanism 250 includes a first support part 252 and a secondsupport part 260 coupled to the first support part 252.

The first support part 252 is placed on the ice compartment 120. Themotor assembly 280 is installed on the first support part 252. An iceopening 253 through which ice cubes discharged from the ice bin 300 passis disposed in the bottom surface of the first support part 252. The icebin 300 is placed on the first support part 252. That is, the firstsupport part 252 supports the ice bin 300.

When the ice bin 300 is placed on the first support part 252, the motorassembly 280 is connected to the ice bin 300. In this embodiment, thestate where the ice bin 300 is placed on the first support part 252means the state where the ice compartment 120 accommodates the ice bin300.

The seat part 215 on which the ice maker 210 is placed is installed onthe second support part 260. The ice maker 210 includes a rotation shaft212 at a side. The rotation shaft 212 is rotatably coupled to the seatpart 215. An extension part (not shown) extending from the gear box 224is connected to another side of the ice maker 210.

The full ice sensor 270 is installed on the second support part 260 at aposition spaced apart from the ice maker 210. The full ice sensor 270 isdisposed under the ice maker 210.

The full ice sensor 270 includes a transmission part 271 transmitting asignal, and a receiving part 272 spaced apart from the transmission part271 and receiving a signal from the transmission part 271. Thetransmission part 271 and the receiving part 272 are disposed in theinner space of the ice bin 300 when the ice bin 300 is placed on thefirst support part 252.

Hereinafter, the ice bin 300 will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ice bin according to the firstembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, an opening 310 is defined at an upper side of theice bin 300. The ice bin 300 has a front wall 311, a rear wall 312, andsidewalls 313.

An inclined guide surface is disposed inside the ice bin 300 to supportthe stored ice cubes and guide the stored ice cubes such that the icecubes slide downwardly by their self-weight.

An ice storage space 315 in which the ice cubes are stored is defined bythe front wall 311, the rear wall 312, the sidewalls 313, and theinclined guide surface 320.

The inclined guide surface 320 includes a first inclined guide surface321 and a second inclined guide surface 322. The first inclined guidesurface 321 is inclined downwardly from one wall of the sidewalls 313toward a central portion. The second inclined guide surface 322 isinclined downwardly from the other wall of the sidewalls 313 toward thecentral portion.

An ice discharge member 400 is disposed between the first inclined guidesurface 321 and the second inclined guide surface 322 to discharge theice cubes received in the ice bin 300 to the outside of the ice bin 300.That is, the first inclined guide surface 321 and the second inclinedguide surface 322 are disposed at left and right sides of the icedischarge member 400.

The ice discharge member 400 includes one or more rotation blades 410 todefine a predetermined space 411 in which the ice cubes is disposed. Theice discharge member 400 may include a plurality of rotation blades 410to easily discharge the ice cubes.

Hereinafter, the ice discharge member 400 including the plurality ofrotation blades 410 will be described as an example.

The ice cubes disposed on the first inclined guide surface 321 and thesecond inclined guide surface 322 are moved toward the ice dischargemember 40 by their self-weight. Then, the ice cubes are discharged tothe outside by an operation of the ice discharge member 400.

The ice discharge member 400 is rotatably disposed between the firstinclined guide surface 321 and the second inclined guide surface 322. Inaddition, a discharge part 500 having a discharge opening 510 in whichthe ice cubes are finally discharged is disposed between the firstinclined guide surface 321 and the second inclined guide surface 322.

The ice discharge member 400 is forwardly/reversely and rotatably (orrotatable in both directions) disposed on the discharge part 500.

When the ice discharge member 400 is rotated in a first direction, oneor more fixed blades 480 interacting with the rotation blades 410 tocrash the ice cubes are disposed at a side of a lower portion of the icedischarge member 400, i.e., a side of the discharge part 500.

To easily crash the ice cubes, a plurality of fixed blades 480 may bedisposed in ice bin 300. Hereinafter, the ice bin 300 including theplurality of fixed blades 480 will be described as an example.

The plurality of fixed blades 480 is spaced from each other, and therotation blades 410 pass through a space between the plurality of fixedblades 480.

When the ice is compressed by the rotation operations of the rotationblades 410 in a state where the ice jammed between the fixed blades 480and the rotation blades 410, the ice is crashed to form ice chips.

When the ice discharge member 400 is rotated in a second directionopposite to the first direction, an opening/closing member 600selectively communicating with the discharge opening 510 and the icestorage space 315 to discharge ice cubes is disposed at the side of thelower portion of the ice discharge member 400, i.e., the side of thedischarge part 500.

An operation restriction part 650 is disposed below the opening/closingmember 600 to restrict an operation range of the opening/closing member600, thereby preventing the ice cubes from being excessively discharged.

The discharge part 500 has a discharge guide wall 520 having aconfiguration corresponding to a rotational track of the rotation blade410. The fixed blades 480 are disposed below the discharge guide wall520.

The discharge guide wall 520 prevents the crushed ice chips fromremaining on the discharge part 500. An ice jam prevention part 330protruding toward the rotation blade 410 is disposed on a back surface312 of the front wall 311 of the ice bin 300 to prevent the ice cubesfrom being jammed between the rotation blades 410 and the front wall 311of the ice bin 300.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the ice bin.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the plurality of rotation blades 410 isfixed to a rotation axis 420. The rotation axis 420 passes through aconnection plate 428 connected to a support plate 425 and the motorassembly (see reference numeral 280 of FIG. 6). The rotation axis 420 ishorizontally disposed within the ice bin 300.

The plurality of rotation blades 410 is disposed spaced from each otherin a direction parallel to an extending direction of the rotation axis420.

The rotation axis 420 is connected to one side of each of the pluralityof fixed blades 480. That is, the rotation axis 420 passes through theplurality of fixed blades 480. A through-hole 481 through which therotation axis 420 passes is defined in the respective fixed blades 480.

Here, the through-hole 481 may have a diameter greater than that of therotation axis 420 such that the fixed blades 480 are not moved when therotation axis 420 is rotated.

The plurality of rotation blades 410 and the plurality of fixed blades480 may be alternately disposed in the direction parallel to theextending direction of the rotation axis 420.

As described above, the other side of each of the plurality of fixedblades 480 is fixed to a lower side of the discharge guide wall 520. Afixing member 485 is connected to the other side of the respective fixedblades 480 and inserted into a groove 521 defined in the discharge guidewall 520.

The opening/closing member 600 may be provided in one or plurality. Theopening/closing member 600 is disposed at a lateral side of theplurality of fixed blades 480.

The opening/closing member 600 is rotatably disposed on the dischargepart 500. The opening/closing member 600 may be formed of an elasticmaterial or supported by an elastic member 640 such as a spring.

This is done for returning the opening/closing member 600 to its initialposition when a compression effect is released in a state where an endof the opening/closing member 600 is moved downwardly by the compressioneffect due to the ice cubes.

The ice discharge member 400, the fixed blade 480, and theopening/closing member 600 are disposed within the ice bin 300, andthen, a front plate 311 a constituting the front wall 311 of the ice bin300 is disposed.

A cover member 318 may be disposed at a lower portion of a front surfaceof the front plate 311 a to prevent the opening/closing member 600 orthe fixed blade 480 from being exposed to the outside.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an ice discharge member.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, an elastic member 429 having a coil shape isdisposed between the support plate 425 and the connection plate 428 toelastically support the connection plate 428.

In a state where the rotation blade 410, the support plate 425, theconnection plate 428, and the elastic member 429 are coupled to therotation axis 420, an insertion member 421 is inserted into a front endof the rotation axis 420.

The motor assembly (see reference numeral 280 of FIG. 6) includes aconnection member 320 selectively connected to the connection plate 428.A protrusion 430 on which the connection member 320 is hooked isdisposed on the connection plate 428.

When the protrusion 430 and both ends of the connection member 320 arealigned with each other in a state where a user receives the ice bin 300into the ice compartment 120, the connection member 320 is not hooked onthe protrusion 430. In this case, the guide plate 428 is moved towardthe support plate 425 by the elastic member 429.

Thereafter, when the alignment between both ends of the connectionmember 320 and the protrusion 430 is released by a continuous operationof the motor assembly (see reference numeral 280 of FIG. 6), theconnection plate 428 is moved backwardly by the elastic member 429, andthus, both ends of the connection member 320 is hooked on the protrusion430.

The support plate 425 has an inclined surface 426 to smoothly move theice cubes disposed on a lateral surface of the support plate 425 towardthe plurality of rotation blades 410.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a rotation blade of the ice bin.

Referring to FIG. 10, the respective rotation blades 410 include acentral portion 412 through which the rotation axis 420 passes andextension parts 413 radially extending from the central portion 412.

A through-hole 415 through which the rotation axis 420 passes is definedin the central portion 412. The through-hole may have a non-circularshape or a long hole shape to smoothly transmit a rotation force of therotation axis 420 to the central portion 412.

The plurality of extension parts 413 may be spaced from each other. Aspace 411 in which the ice cubes are disposed is defined between the twoextension parts 413 adjacent to each other.

The respective extension parts 413 have a width gradually increasingfrom the central portion 412 toward the outside. A hook part 416 isdisposed on an end of the extension part 413 to prevent the ice cubesdisposed in the space 411 from overflowing.

Thus, when the rotation blade 410 is rotated in a state where the icecubes are received into the space 411, the ice cubes disposed at the endof the extension part 413 is hooked and moved together with the rotationblade 410 in a rotation direction of the rotation blade 410.

A crash part having a saw-tooth shape is disposed at one side of theextension part 413 to crash the ice by interacting with the fixed blade480.

A smooth surface is disposed at the other side of the extension part 413to move the ice cubes to a side opposite to the crash part 418 while theice cubes are maintained in the ice cube state. Thus, the crash part 418of one extension part 418 is disposed at a side opposite to the smoothsurface of the other extension part 418 in one space 411.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the ice discharge member, a fixed blade, andan opening/closing member of the ice bin.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the rotation blade 410 is connected to therotation axis 420, the plurality of rotation blades 410 does notcompletely overlap, but is disposed in a slightly twisted state from afront side toward a rear side.

That is, when viewed from a front side, the plurality of rotation blades410 does not completely overlap each other, but is disposed in a statein which the behind rotation blade 410 is rotated by a predeterminedangle.

In case where the plurality of rotation blades 410 is disposed incompletely overlapping relationship in front and rear directions, whenthe plurality of rotation blades 410 for crushing the ice cubes isrotated in the first direction, a pressure applied to the ice cubes isdispersed. As a result, it is difficult to crush the ice cubes.

However, as described above, in case where the plurality of rotationblades is sequentially disposed in a state where they are rotated at apredetermined angle, the ice cubes contact the crush part 418 of thefirst rotation blade 410 and thus are crushed. Thereafter, the crushedice cubes sequentially contract the crush part 418 of the secondrotation blade 410, and then the crush part 418 of the third rotationblade 410 with a predetermined time interval.

Thus, the rotation force of the ice discharge member 400 may beconcentrated into the respective crush parts 418 to significantlyimprove the ice crush efficiency.

Also, the crush part 488 having the saw-tooth shape may be disposed onthe fixed blade 480 to crush the ice cubes.

The opening/closing member 600 is disposed in a lateral direction of thefixed blade 480. The opening/closing member 600 includes a rotation part605 rotatably disposed within the ice bin 300. The rotation part 605 iselastically supported by the elastic member 640 having a torsion springshape. The elastic member 640 has one end fixed to the ice bin 300 andthe other end seated on a surface of the opening/closing member 600 toelastically support the opening/closing member 600.

The opening/closing member 600 has a rounded first guide surface 610 anda second guide surface 612 connected to the rotation part 605. At thistime, the second guide surface 612 and the second inclined guide surface(see reference numeral 322 of FIG. 7) constitutes a continuous surface.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the opening/closing member of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 12, the opening/closing member 600 may beprovided in plurality. The plurality of opening/closing members 600 isindependently moved with respect to each other.

If a single opening/closing member 600 is disposed within the ice bin300, other ice cubes may be discharged through a gap at which the ice isnot disposed when the ice cubes are not discharged but stay on only aportion of the first guide surface 610 of the opening/closing member600.

However, if a plurality of opening/closing member 600 is disposed withinthe ice bin 300, even through the ice cubes are hooked on oneopening/closing member 600 to maintain the opening/closing member 600 inan open state, the other opening/closing member 600 on which the icecubes are not hooked may maintain a close state to prevent the ice cubesfrom being unnecessarily discharged.

At this time, the elastic member 640 may be disposed on each of theplurality of opening/closing members 600. The respective opening/closingmembers 600 include a hook jaw 615 to prevent the ice cubes jammedbetween the opening/closing members 600 and the plurality of rotationblades 410 from being discharged to the outside when each of theopening/closing members 600 is in the close state.

The hook jaw 615 may be disposed on an end of a top surface of the firstguide surface 610.

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating the inside of the ice bin, and FIG.14 is a bottom view of the ice bin.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 14, the first inclined guide surface 321 isdisposed adjacent to the plurality of fixed blades 480. The secondinclined guide surface 322 is disposed adjacent to the opening/closingmember 600.

A discharge guide wall 520 connected to the first inclined guide surface321 is disposed at a side of the discharge part 500. The second inclinedguide surface is divided into two sections. This is done for adjusting amovement speed of the ice cubes moved along the second inclined guidesurface 322 toward the ice discharge member 400 to prevent the ice cubesfrom being broken out.

The second inclined guide surface 322 includes an outwardly inclinedguide surface 322 b connected to the sidewalls 313 of the ice bin 300and an inwardly inclined guide surface 322 a connected to the outwardlyinclined guide surface 322 b and disposed adjacent to the ice dischargemember 400.

The inwardly inclined guide surface 322 a is inclined at an angle lessthan that of the outwardly inclined guide surface 322 b. Thus, the icecubes downwardly moved along the outwardly inclined guide surface 322 bare reduced in speed at the inwardly inclined guide surface 322 a. Thesecond guide surface 612 of the opening/closing member 600 is disposedat an end of the inwardly inclined guide surface 322 a to constitute acontinuous surface together with the inwardly inclined guide surface 322a.

When the opening/closing member 600 closes the discharge opening 510,the second guide surface 612 and the inwardly inclined guide surface 322a form the continuous surface to reduce the movement speed of the icecubes.

When the opening/closing member 600 opens the discharge opening 510, thesecond guide surface 612 is downwardly moved to guide the ice cubestoward the discharge opening 510. An inclination end point 321 a of thefirst inclined guide surface 321 is disposed at a position higher thanthat of the rotation axis 420 of the ice discharge member 400. This isdone for preventing fragments of the ice cubes crushed at a position atwhich the fixed blade 480 is disposed from being upwardly moved again.

To prevent the fragments of the crushed ice cubes from staying, thedischarge guide wall 520 may have a curvature corresponding to that ofthe rotational track of the rotation blade 410.

Also, to maintain the ice cubes in the ice cube state, the secondinclined guide surface 322 may be inclined at an angle less than that ofthe first inclined guide surface 321.

The inwardly inclined guide surface 322 a of the second inclined guidesurface 322 may be inclined at the substantially same angle as that ofthe second guide surface 612 of the opening/closing member 600 to form acontinuous surface.

The rotation part 605 of the opening/closing member 600 is disposed at aposition lower than that of the rotation axis 420 of the ice dischargemember 400 such that the second inclined guide surface 322 is inclinedat an angle less than that of the first inclined guide surface 321.

The operation restriction part 650 for restricting an opening angle ofthe opening/closing member 600 is disposed below the opening/closingmember 600.

The operation restriction part 650 includes a vertically disposed firstrib 651, a second rib 652 spaced from the first rib 651 and having aheight greater than that of the first rib 651, and an inclined contactpart 653 connecting an upper portion of the first rib 651 to an upperportion of the second rib 652.

The opening/closing member 600 is stopped by contacting the contact part653.

As described above, the opening/closing member 600 may be provided inplurality. Also, the opening/closing members 600 may have maximumopening angles different from each other, respectively.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the ice bin.

Referring to FIG. 15, the ice jam prevention part 330 is disposed insidethe front wall 311 of the ice bin 300. The ice jam prevention part 330protrudes or extends inwardly from the front wall 311 of the ice bin300.

The ice jam prevention part 330 disposed in a space between the rotationblade 410 disposed at the most front side of the plurality of rotationblades 410 and the front wall 311.

The ice jam prevention part 330 may be disposed above a portion at whichthe crushed ice cubes are discharged.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the refrigerator compartmentdoor of the first embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a view of a state in whichan ice maker is rotated to separate ice from the ice maker of FIG. 16.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the ice bin 300 is substantiallyvertically disposed below the ice maker 210 in a state where the icemaking assembly 200 is disposed within the ice compartment 120.

In detail, an inlet 301 a of the opening 310 of the ice bin 300 isdisposed at a position lower than that of the ice maker 210. Thus, whenthe ice compartment door 130 closes the ice compartment 120, the ice bin300 is not disposed in a first region A between the ice compartment door130 and the ice maker 210. That is, the ice bin 300 may be disposed in asecond region except for a first region A between the ice compartmentdoor 130 and the ice maker 210 in an entire region of the icecompartment 120.

This is done for a reason that the ice bin 300 does not need to disposethe ice bin 300 in the first region A because the ice maker 210 is tunedover by its rotation operation to separate ice cubes I from the icemaker 210 due to ice cubes' self-weight, thereby dropping into the icebin 300. That is, since the ice cubes I separated from the ice maker 210do not pass through the first region A, the ice bin need not be disposedin the first region A.

Thus, since the ice bin 300 is not disposed in the first region A, theice compartment door 130 may be disposed further adjacent to the icemaker 210. As a result, a total thickness of the refrigeratorcompartment door 11 may be reduced. That is, the refrigeratorcompartment door 11 may be slim.

The rotation shaft 212 of the ice maker 210 crosses the rotation axis420 disposed inside the ice bin 300. This is done because the icecompartment 120 increases in volume when the rotation shaft 212 of theice maker 210 is disposed parallel to the rotation axis 420 disposedinside the ice bin 300.

The plurality of rotation blades 410 may be disposed spaced from eachother in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the rotationaxis 420. The plurality of rotation blades 410 may be disposed within arange of a front-rear width W of the ice maker 210.

Thus, when the ice maker 210 is rotated to separate the ice cubes I fromthe ice maker 210, a portion of the plurality of ice cubes separatedfrom the ice maker 210 directly drops into at least one rotation bladeof the plurality of rotation blades 410. That is, the ice cubes Iseparated from the ice maker 210 drop down by their self-weight, and atleast one of the dropping ice cubes I directly contact at least onerotation blade 410.

At this time, a dropping direction of the ice cubes I separated from theice maker 210 crosses the extending direction of the rotation axis 420.In another aspect, the dropping direction of the ice cubes I separatedfrom the ice maker 210 is substantially parallel to a virtual surfacedefined when the plurality of rotation blades 410 is rotated.

A horizontal distance from the ice compartment door 130 to the rotationshaft 212 of the ice maker 210 is greater than the shortest horizontaldistance from the ice compartment door 130 to the discharge opening 510.

Hereinafter, a movement process of the ice cubes generated at the icemaking assembly will be described.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a state in which ice chips are dischargedfrom the ice bin, and FIG. 19 is a front view of a state in which icecubes are discharged from the ice bin.

A process of discharging the generated ice cubes to the outside willdescribed with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18.

To separate the ice cubes from the ice maker 210, when an operationsignal is inputted into the driving source 220, the driving source 220is operated. A power of the driving source 220 is transmitted to the icemaker 210 by the gear box 224 to rotate the ice maker 210 on a whole.

In this embodiment, the ice cubes are separated by the twistingoperation of the ice maker 210. When the twisting operation of the icemaker 210 is performed, one end and the other end of the ice maker 210are twisted by their relative motion. Thus, the ice cubes are separatedfrom the ice maker 210. Since a principle of the twisting operation ofthe ice maker 210 is well-known, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The ice cubes separated from the ice maker 210 drop into the ice bin 300through the inlet 301 a of the opening 310 of the ice bin 300.

As described above, a portion of the ice cubes separated from the icemaker 210 may drop onto the plurality of rotation blades 410, anotherportion of the ice cubes may drop onto the first inclined guide surface321, and further another portion of the ice cubes may drop onto thesecond inclined guide surface 322.

To dispense the crushed ice chips, when the ice discharge member 400 isrotated in the first direction (in a counterclockwise direction whenviewed in FIG. 18), the crush part 418 of the plurality of rotationblades 410 is getting close to the crush part 488 of the fixed blade480.

Thus, the ice cubes disposed in the space 411 of the plurality ofrotation blades 410 are disposed on the fixed blade 480 by the rotationof the rotation blades 410. In this embodiment, the ice cubes disposedin the space 411 may be the ice cubes directly dropping onto theplurality of rotation blades 410 or the ice cubes sliding along thefirst inclined guide surface 321.

In this state, when the plurality of rotation blades 410 is continuouslyrotated in the first direction, the ice cubes jammed between the crushpart 418 of the rotation blade 410 and the crush part 488 of the fixedblade 480 are crushed. The crushed ice chips drop in a direction of thedischarge opening 510 and are discharged to the outside.

In a process of discharging the ice chips, since the opening/closingmember 600 is maintained in the close state, it may prevent the icecubes disposed on the second inclined guide surface 322 from beingdischarged.

In a process of discharging the ice cubes, when the ice discharge member400 is rotated in the second direction (in a clockwise direction whenviewed in FIG. 18), the ice cubes disposed in the space 411 of theplurality of rotation blades 410 are moved in a direction of theopening/closing member 600 by the rotation of the rotation blades 410.

The ice cubes disposed in the space 411 of the plurality of rotationblades 410 may be the ice cubes directly dropping onto the plurality ofrotation blades 410 or the ice cubes sliding along the second inclinedguide surface 322.

When the plurality of rotation blades 410 is continuously rotated in thesecond direction, the extension part 413 of the respective rotationblades 410 pushes the ice cubes disposed on the opening/closing member600. As a result, the compression forces of the rotation blades 410 areapplied to the opening/closing member 600 by the ice cubes.

Thus, the opening/closing member 600 is downwardly rotated (in acounterclockwise direction when viewed in FIG. 19) by the compressionforce of the ice cubes and the rotation blades 410. As a result, a spaceis defined between an end of the extension part 413 of the respectiverotation blades 410 and an end of the opening/closing member 600. Then,the ice cubes are moved into the space, and finally, the ice cubes aredischarged to the outside.

When the rotation of the ice discharge member 400 is stopped, since thepressure applied to the opening/closing member 600 is removed, theopening/closing member 600 returns to its initial position by theelastic force of the elastic member 640.

A summary of the movement of the ice cubes within the ice bin 300 is asfollows. The ice cubes dropping onto the plurality of rotation blades410 are downwardly moved when the plurality of rotation blades 410 isrotated.

The ice cubes dropping onto the first inclined guide surface 321 aremoved into the space 411 by their self-weight when the plurality ofrotation blades 410 is rotated in the first direction. When theplurality of rotation blades 410 is rotated, the ice cubes within thespace 411 are downwardly moved.

Also, the ice cubes dropping onto the second inclined guide surface 322are moved into the space 411 by their self-weight when the plurality ofrotation blades 410 is rotated in the second direction. When theplurality of rotation blades 410 is rotated, the ice cubes within thespace 411 are downwardly moved.

Substantially, the ice cubes disposed on the respective inclinedsurfaces 321 and 322 are not moved in a state where the operation of theplurality of rotation blades 410 is stopped.

As a result, according to this embodiment, the stored ice cubes may bedischarged to the outside by the rotation operation of the plurality ofrotation blades 410 without requiring an additional transfer unit withinthe ice bin 300.

Also, the ice cubes within the ice bin 300 are moved only from upperside to lower side, i.e., the inlet 301 a of the ice bin 300 to thedischarge opening 510 except for the mutual movement between the icecubes.

When the inlet 301 a of the ice bin 300 and the discharge opening 510 ofthe ice bin 300, the ice opening 253 of the first support part 252, theopening of the door liner 112, an inlet 152 and outlet 154 of the iceduct overlap each other, an overlapping common region is formed. Thus,the movement path of the ice cubes may be minimized.

A technical significance of this embodiment according to theabove-described constitution will be described below.

As described above, since the ice cubes within the ice bin are movedfrom the upper side to the lower side and moved and drop by theplurality of rotation blades, the ice bin may be reduced in thickness.

In this embodiment, the thickness of the ice bin represents a thicknessof the ice bin in the extending direction of the rotation axis.

The refrigerator compartment door may be reduced in thickness by thedecrease of the thickness of the ice bin and the position of the ice binwithin the ice compartment according to the separation method of the icecubes from the ice maker.

When the refrigerator compartment door is reduce in thickness, a basketfor additionally receiving the food may be disposed in the refrigeratorcompartment door.

In addition, when the refrigerator compartment door is reduce inthickness, since a portion (that is inserted into the refrigeratorcompartment) of the refrigerator compartment door is reduced in volume,receivable capacity of the refrigerator compartment may increase.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a secondembodiment.

This embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except for a kind ofrefrigerator and a position of an ice making assembly. Thus, onlyspecific portions of this embodiment will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 20, a refrigerator 70 of this embodiment may be aside-by-side type refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment 712and a freezer compartment 714 are disposed at left and right sides,respectively.

The freezer compartment 712 is opened and closed by a freezercompartment door 720, and the refrigerator compartment 714 is opened andclosed by a refrigerator compartment door 730.

The refrigerator 70 includes an ice making assembly 740 for generatingice cubes.

The ice making assembly 740 includes an ice maker 750 for generating theice cubes and an ice bin 760 for storing the ice cubes separated fromthe ice maker 750.

In this embodiment, the ice making assembly has the same structure asthat of the first embodiment except positions of the ice maker and theice bin.

The ice maker 750 is disposed in the freezer compartment 712, and theice bin 760 is separably disposed in the freezer compartment door 720.When the freezer compartment door 720 closes the freezer compartment712, the ice bin 760 is disposed below the ice maker 750.

According to this embodiment, the freezer compartment door may bereduced in thickness due to the improved structure of the ice bin.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a thirdembodiment.

This embodiment is equal to the second embodiment except for a positionof an ice making assembly. Thus, only specific portions of thisembodiment will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 21, a freezer compartment door 770 of this embodimentincludes a door liner 772 defining an ice compartment 774. The icecompartment 774 includes an ice making assembly 780. In this embodiment,the ice making assembly 780 has the same structure as that of the firstembodiment. According to this embodiment, the freezer compartment doormay be reduced in thickness due to the operation of the ice maker andthe improved structure of the ice bin, which are described in the firstembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fourthembodiment.

This embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except for a positionof an ice making assembly. Thus, only specific portions of thisembodiment will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 22, a bottom freeze type refrigerator as an examplewill be described as an example. An ice bin 860 is disposed in one ofrefrigerator compartment doors 820 and 830. Other components (e.g., anice maker 850) of an ice making assembly except the ice bin 860 aredisposed in freezer compartment 812.

A first insulation case 870 for insulating a space in which ice cubesare generated from the refrigerator compartment 812 is disposed in therefrigerator compartment 812. The ice maker 850 is disposed within thefirst insulation case 870. A bottom surface of the first insulation case870 may be opened, and thus, the ice cubes generated in the ice maker850 may drop down.

Also, a second insulation case 880 for receiving the ice bin 860 isdisposed in the refrigerator compartment door. A top surface of thesecond insulation case 880 may be opened to receive the ice cubes. Whenthe refrigerator compartment door closes the refrigerator compartment,the second insulation case is disposed below the first insulation case.

At this time, a sealing part (not shown) may be disposed on one of thefirst and second insulation cases 870 and 880 to seal a space between abottom surface of the first insulation case 870 and a top surface of thesecond insulation case 880.

According to this embodiment, the refrigerator door may be reduced inthickness due to the improved structure of the ice bin.

According to the proposed embodiments, since the ice cubes within theice bin are moved from the upper side to the lower side and moved anddrop by the plurality of rotation blades, the ice bin can be reduced inthickness.

Also, the refrigerator compartment door can be reduced in thickness bythe decrease of the thickness of the ice bin and the position of the icebin within the ice compartment according to the separation method of theice cubes from the ice maker.

When the refrigerator door becomes slim, a basket for additionallyreceiving the food can be disposed in the refrigerator door.

Also, when the refrigerator door becomes slim, since a portion (that isinserted into the storage compartment) of the refrigerator door isreduced in volume, the receivable capacity of the storage compartmentcan increase.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A refrigerator comprising: a storage compartment; a refrigerator doorconfigured to open and close the storage compartment; an ice makerconfigured to generate ice cubes; an ice bin provided at therefrigerator door, the ice bin being disposed below the ice maker toreceive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a dischargeopening through which the ice cubes are discharged; a motor provided atthe refrigerator door; and at least one blade disposed within the icebin, the at least one blade being operably connected to the motor,wherein at least one ice cube generated in the ice maker directly droponto the at least one blade, and the at least one blade moves at leastone ice cube stored in the ice bin to the discharge opening to dischargethe at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a drivingsource rotating the ice maker, wherein the ice cubes are separated fromthe ice maker by an rotation operation of the ice maker.
 3. Therefrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the least one ice cube storedin the ice bin is moved downwardly toward the at least one blade whenthe at least one blade is operated.
 4. The refrigerator according toclaim 1, further comprising a rotation axis connected to the at leastone blade, wherein, when the at least one blade is operated, the icecubes stored in the ice bin are moved toward the at least one blade in adirection crossing an extending direction of the rotation axis.
 5. Therefrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation axisconnected to the at least one blade, the rotation axis being disposedwithin the ice bin in a horizontal direction, wherein the at least oneblade is disposed above the discharge opening.
 6. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, wherein the ice bin comprises both sidewallsfacing each other; and a first inclined guide surface and a secondinclined guide surface, which are inclined downwardly toward the atleast one blade from both sidewalls, respectively, wherein the firstinclined guide surface and the second inclined guide surface areinclined at angles different from each other.
 7. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, wherein the ice bin comprises at least one fixedblade having fixed position therein, and when the at least one blade isrotated toward the at least one fixed blade in one direction, the atleast one ice cube in the ice bin is crushed.
 8. A refrigeratorcomprising: a cabinet defining a storage compartment; and a refrigeratordoor configured to open and close the storage compartment, wherein therefrigerator door comprises: an ice compartment; an ice maker disposedwithin the ice compartment to generated ice cubes; an ice bin below theice maker, the ice bin storing the ice cubes separated from the icemaker and having a discharge opening through which the ice cubes aredischarged; and at least one rotation blade disposed within the ice bin,the at least one rotation blade moving the ice cubes in the bin towardthe discharge opening, wherein at least one ice cube separated from theice maker directly drop onto the at least one rotation blade.
 9. Therefrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the ice bin comprises atleast one fixed blade crushing at least one ice cube in the ice binmoved downwardly by the at least one rotation blade by interacting withthe at least one rotation blade.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim8, wherein, when the at least one rotation blade is operated, the icecubes stored in the ice bin are moved toward the at least one rotationblade in a direction parallel to a surface defined by a track of the atleast one rotation blade.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 8,further comprising a driving source rotating the ice maker, wherein theice maker comprises a rotation shaft receiving a power of the drivingsource.
 12. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a storagecompartment; and a refrigerator door configured to open and close thestorage compartment, wherein the refrigerator door comprises: an icecompartment; an ice maker disposed within the ice compartment togenerate ice cubes, the ice maker being configured to separate ice cubesby its rotation operation; an ice bin selectively received in the icecompartment, the ice bin being disposed below the ice maker to store theice cubes separated from the ice maker and having a discharge openingthrough which the ice cubes are discharged; and at least one rotationblade above the discharge opening, the at least one rotation blade beingrotatably operated, wherein the ice cubes separated from the ice makerby a rotation operation of the ice maker drop into the ice bin by theirself-weight, at least one ice cube separated from the ice maker directlydrops onto the at least one rotation blade, and the ice cubes stored inthe ice bin are discharged downwardly from the ice bin through thedischarge opening by the rotation of the at least one rotation blade.13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising an icecompartment door configured to open and close the ice compartment. 14.The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein an inlet of an openingof the ice bin and the discharge opening have an overlapping commonregion.
 15. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the ice bincomprises at least one fixed blade crushing the ice cubes in the ice binby interacting with the at least one rotation blade.
 16. Therefrigerator according to claim 15, wherein, when the at least onerotation blade is rotated in a first direction, the ice cubes within theice bin are crushed and discharged, and when the at least one rotationblade is rotated in a second direction, the ice cubes within the ice binare discharged in a non-crushed state.
 17. A refrigerator comprising: acabinet defining a storage compartment; and a refrigerator doorconfigured to open and close the storage compartment, wherein therefrigerator door comprises: an ice compartment; an ice maker disposedwithin the ice compartment to generate ice cubes; an ice bin configuredto store the ice cubes separated from the ice maker, the ice bin havinga discharge opening through which the ice cubes are discharged; and anice compartment door configured to open and close the ice compartment,wherein, when the ice compartment door closes the ice compartment, theice bin is disposed in a second region except a first region between theice compartment door and the ice maker.
 18. The refrigerator accordingto claim 17, wherein the ice maker is rotatably operated, when the icemaker is in a rotated state, the ice cubes are separated from the icemaker, and the ice cubes vertically drop downwardly into the ice bin ata position at which the ice cubes are separated from the ice maker. 19.The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein an inlet of the ice binin which the ice cubes separated from the ice maker are initiallyintroduced is lower than a bottom surface of the ice maker.
 20. Therefrigerator according to claim 17, wherein at least one ice cubeseparated from the ice maker directly drop onto the at least onerotation blade.
 21. The refrigerator according to claim 17, furthercomprising a rotation shaft rotating the ice maker, wherein a horizontaldistance from the ice compartment door to the rotation shaft is greaterthan the shortest horizontal distance from the ice compartment door tothe discharge opening.
 22. A refrigerator comprising: a storagecompartment; a refrigerator door configured to open and close thestorage compartment; an ice maker configured to generate ice cubes; anice bin provided at the refrigerator door, the ice bin being disposedbelow the ice maker to receive the ice cubes separated from the icemaker and having a discharge opening through which the ice cubes aredischarged; a motor provided at the refrigerator door; at least onerotation blade disposed within the ice bin, the at least one blade beingoperably connected to the motor; and a rotation axis connected to the atleast one rotation blade, wherein the ice cubes dropping into the icebin are moved toward the least one rotation blade in a directioncrossing an extending direction of the rotation axis, and the at leastone rotation blade moves the ice cubes to the discharge opening todischarge the ice cubes from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.23. The refrigerator according to claim 22, further comprising arotation shaft rotating the ice maker, wherein an extending direction ofthe rotation shaft crosses that of the rotation axis.
 24. A refrigeratorincluding a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closuremember for closing the access opening, the refrigerator comprising: anice maker being disposed within the freezer compartment for forming icecubes; an ice bin mounted to the closure member below the ice maker toreceive the ice cubes from the ice maker and having an opening throughwhich the ice cubes are discharged; a motor mounted on the closuremember; and at least one blade disposed within the ice bin and drivinglyconnected to the motor; wherein upon energization of the motor, at leastone blade move the ice cubes from the ice bin through the opening fordispensing from the ice bin, and the at least one blade crushes the icecubes during a movement of the ice cubes in the bin.